As you may already know (since I told you about it here), this year marks the 40th anniversary for Dungeons & Dragons. And what better way to celebrate than by releasing a ton of new books, modules, games, and a new logo?! Wizards of the Coast has just announced the release dates for a plethora of items that will surely find many of us flocking to our book or game shops looking for these latest and greatest additions to what is arguably the best role-playing game franchise ever!

Here’s what we know so far about the new releases for summer and fall 2014. I’ve included a few sample photos below to give you a taste of what’s to come.

First and foremost, the actual roleplaying game books coming out this year are derived directly from input from gamers just like you and me. If you missed out on the alpha playtesting then this is your chance to see it all at once! The all new Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set arrives July 15th and includes everything you need to start a game quickly (including the dice).

August 19th sees the release of the first of the new core game books: the Player’s Handbook. Containing over three hundred pages of character information, this is a must have for everyone.

The Monster Manual is the next core release, seeing print on September 30th. It details each possible encounter and is the perfect companion for Dungeon Masters to use with homegrown campaigns.

Finally, on November 18th we get the Dungeon Master’s Guide. This is a big one, in my opinion. It’s all about rules and game mechanics, giving tips and tricks on successful gameplay, and making your roleplaying experience stand out from the rest. With these three books, you can build a world of your own or just expand on what is already available. That isn’t to say there aren’t going to be more books and supplements, because there are some already in the pipe…

Hoard of the Dragon Queen is all about the Cult of the Dragon trying to bring Tiamat back from the nine hells. This supplement arrives August 19th and is the part of the Tyranny of Dragons that I wrote about back in January (if you missed it, the link is right here).

October 21st is the next installment in this campaign and comes in the form of The Rise of Tiamat. Using these two books (as well as any more that release later), DMs will be able to create an extraordinarily detailed gaming experience for their players to enjoy.

But if tabletop gaming isn’t your thing, you’re in luck! Perfect World Entertainment, Inc. and Cryptic Studios have just announced the launch of Neverwinter: Tyranny of Dragons, a new module for the free Neverwinter MMORPG. This new addition, available on August 14th, will continue to provide players with a beautifully detailed world setting and help bridge the gap between tabletop and videogaming. And while this particular module focuses on a particular event in the D&D world, it is also just the first of what is to be a serialized style of entertainment for gamers. You can find more information about the Neverwinter game here.

There are also new miniatures, comics, and even apparel coming in the near future. As I said, it’s a huge year for Dungeons & Dragons fans everywhere. As a lifelong gamer, it is always a pleasure to bring you news and information about all things D&D. I hope you get a chance to check it all out this summer, because there’s bound to be even more coming soon!

On a side note, if you haven’t yet checked out the mobile game Dungeons & Dragons: Arena Of War, do yourself a favor and download it for your smartphone. It’s like digital crack, it’s so addictive. The game almost makes me regret poking fun at my wife for playing Farmville and Candy Crush. Almost.

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